Jennifer Gandhi, a distinguished scholar in comparative politics and political economy, has been selected as the new Phyllis A. Wallace Dean of Faculty Development within Yale University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS). The announcement was made by FAS Dean Steven Wilkinson, highlighting Gandhi’s extensive leadership experience and academic contributions. She will officially assume the role on January 1, 2027, for a five-year term.
Gandhi will take over from Larry Gladney, who has held the position since 2019 and will retire from Yale at the end of 2026. Currently serving as deputy dean at Yale’s Jackson School of Global Affairs, Gandhi has played a central role in overseeing admissions, curriculum development, and student affairs since 2024. She joined Yale in 2022 after a successful tenure at Emory University, where she chaired the Department of Political Science.
In addition to her administrative duties, Gandhi has been deeply involved in faculty recruitment, frequently serving on search committees, especially for joint appointments with the Jackson School. She also chairs the Yale Scholars at Risk Committee, supporting scholars fleeing political persecution, and contributes to the Jackson School’s Executive Committee.
Her new role will focus on enhancing faculty support systems across FAS. Gandhi will lead initiatives aimed at improving faculty well-being and professional growth, including programs like Scholars as Leaders and Scholars as Learners (SAL2), which offer coaching, leadership training, and community-building opportunities. She will also oversee training for department chairs and faculty leaders, while contributing to the faculty hiring process and development strategies.
Gandhi expressed enthusiasm about her appointment, noting that the position offers an opportunity to better understand faculty needs and strengthen support for their diverse roles as educators, researchers, and mentors.
A respected academic, Gandhi’s research centers on authoritarian regimes and democratic transitions. She is the author of the award-winning book Political Institutions Under Dictatorship and has conducted extensive research on human rights and transitional justice, particularly in Argentina. Her work examines how political institutions function under authoritarian rule and how opposition movements respond.
Gandhi’s scholarship has earned her widespread recognition, including election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2025. She is also an active contributor to leading political science journals and a frequent keynote speaker at international conferences. At Yale, she continues to teach courses on political institutions, comparative politics, and dictatorship, further shaping the next generation of scholars.
(Source: Yale University)
